South Africa is mourning the loss of former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad, who passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at the age of 82.
Pahad, a veteran anti-apartheid activist, served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008. He was a consummate diplomat and a fierce advocate for freedom and justice around the world.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sadness at Pahad’s passing, saying that he “represented our nation with passion and clarity and played a significant role in educating the nation of our early democracy about international relations and South Africa’s role, place and vision in a world which itself undergoing change at that time.”
Pahad’s passing follows that of his brother and former Minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad, in July 2023.
President Ramaphosa extended his deepest condolences to the Pahad family, saying that their “hearts go out to them as they mourn the loss of two brothers and two outstanding servants of our people and our country.”
Aziz Pahad will be remembered for his dedication to the struggle for democracy and justice, his commitment to serving South Africa, and his passion for international relations.
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